Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

3:35 pm

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend our colleague, Senator Barrett, on his article on Irish Water in The Irish Times. Along with Senator Cullinane's earlier comments, I believe it should be required reading for the Government in light of the apology announced yesterday by the current Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly. As has been pointed out, this House debated the Irish Water Bill without a guillotine and it seems the Government is crying crocodile tears over what should have been done in a legislative framework when in fact it had the opportunity to do it in this House over 17 hours when many amendments were tabled but it chose not to do so. Now they are reaping the whirlwind and it is shame on them.
I echo the comments made about the possibility of the Government agreeing at last to give the vote to the Irish diaspora. This initiative has arisen out of remarks made by the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, to The Irish Timeswhen he arrived in New York yesterday for a three-day visit during which he will meet the Irish diaspora in various cities in the United States. I read that he may bring a memo to Government in this regard. Notwithstanding what Senator Norris has said about half-term measures, I believe the Irish diaspora would embrace this decision enthusiastically if it were to be taken by the Government, belatedly, and that the vote would be extended to the diaspora for presidential elections. This would be a watershed decision which would lead to a wider debate on how we should address the legitimacy of the Irish diaspora.

I welcome Senator Ó Clochartaigh's comments in this regard. The Leader should allocate time in the coming weeks for a debate on the diaspora and the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Deenihan, should be invited to attend. I do not believe that the Minister of State has come before the Seanad since his appointment.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.